2019 Meningitis vaccination campaign underway

Health
ministry’s 2019 nationwide Meningitis A vaccination with Vitamin A
supplementation and deworming campaign has commenced on Saturday. The
vaccination and deworming campaign is meant to protect children against
Meningitis, Vitamin A deficiency and worm infestation.

The
campaign team is led by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNICEF and World
Health Organisation (WHO) with support from The Vaccine Alliance (GAVI). It
will end of February 8th.

Vaccination
teams will visit communities and will be stationed at strategic locations such
as Bantabas, markets places, health centers, crossing points, community centers
and schools to ensure that no child from age 1 to 7, is missed.

Saharu
Kanteh, communication officer of the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI)
said the vaccination process targets children from age 1 to 7, saying the
vitamin A vaccine targets 6 to 59-month infants and deworming tablets targets
12 to 59-month infants.

He
said meningitis outbreaks occurred between November 2000 and March 2001, and
between 1996 and 1997. “Meningitis outbreaks have been occurring and have
killed people in The Gambia. The most recent outbreak occurred in 2012,
infecting 175 people, leading to 9 deaths.”

According
to him, The Gambia conducted mass meningitis immunisation campaign in 2013,
targeting people aged 11 to 29 years. “This new campaign targets children aged
1 to 7 years because they did not receive the vaccine during the 2013
campaign.”

Mr.
Kanteh called on political, traditional and religious leaders, community-based
organisations and community volunteers, parents and caregivers to play lead
role in ensuring the success of the campaign. “All stakeholders should ensure
that no child in their constituencies is left behind.

Sandra
Lattouf, UNICEF resident representative said importance of the campaign cannot
be overemphasized because it will prevent children from infectious diseases.
“It is a free medical service and parents need to take the opportunity to
ensure that their children are vaccinated or receive vitamin A.”

She
commended the Ministry of Health and the communities for their full
participation during the vaccination process.